Speth F, et al. - In subjects having pediatric rheumatic diseases and at risk for severe chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine was applied without interrupting their current immunosuppression, including biological agents, using an immunological-based pre-vaccination checklist to assure safety. In children with ongoing immunosuppression, VZV vaccination was safe and largely immunogenic, fulfilling an immunological-based pre-vaccination checklist. This new approach is based on immunologic function rather than on type of medications.